Ryan Giggs shrugs off criticism of Man Utd season

Ryan Giggs has conceded Manchester United have not been at their best this season but rejected criticism of their Premier League-winning campaign.

Only five wins in 19 away league games has led to much scrutiny and Giggs told Football Focus: "Maybe it's because we've haven't played flamboyantly.

"But it doesn't bother us. It's just something we've had to put up with."

The 37-year-old winger secured a 12th league title last week in an Old Trafford career spanning 20 years.

Giggs was part of the team that drew 1-1 at Blackburn to ensure the club clinched a record-breaking 19th league title.

It was a nervy display by Sir Alex Ferguson's men at Ewood Park and typified their uncertain performances on their travels during the 2010/2011 campaign. United drew 10 times and lost on four occasions away from Old Trafford.

Giggs, who made 64 appearances for Wales, added: "It's been a strange season. Early on it seemed no-one wanted to win the league.

"Even though our home form has been unbelievable, our away form has not been the best. After giving two-goal leads away at Fulham and Everton, we were criticised."

The Cardiff-born midfielder was 17 when he made his league debut as a substitute against Everton in 1991 and he has gone to accumulate more silverware than any player in English football history.

After signing a one-year contract extension in February, Giggs looks set to continue playing for at least another season and he admitted his career has been prolonged by longer rests between games and playing in a deeper midfield role.

On the prospect of retirement, the 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year said: "I've probably thought about it for the last three or four years because you just never know when the body's going to pack in.

"I have been preparing for it for it four years but I normally assess after Christmas how I'm feeling.

"If I feel I'm not influencing games, not scoring goals or making goals, then that's the time I'd pack it in."

You can see the full interview with Ryan Giggs on Football Focus on Saturday at 1130 BST on BBC1.